NASFM: "A Strong, United Voice for Fire Prevention"

A Message from NASFM on School Safety

The events earlier this week in Parkland, Florida are tragic and heartbreaking. A senseless attack on students, teachers, and administrators is inexplicable. Our deepest condolences are extended to everyone affected by this horrific incident. Many seek to find a simple solution, and several concepts have emerged, including eliminating fire drills and implementing barricading devices.

While early reports indicate that the suspect may have initiated a fire alarm to lure victims out of the safety of their classrooms and offices into a danger zone, eliminating fire drills in an effort to protect civilians from an active shooter is a knee-jerk reaction. Fire drills have historically been shown to save lives. There are available and allowable systems in the fire and building codes to help address misuse of fire alarms, if implemented.

Additionally, NASFM would like to re-iterate its position that barricading devices should be carefully considered and not viewed as a reliable and safe solution. Any steps taken to mitigate an active shooter situation with a barricading device should also comply with building codes, fire codes, and life safety requirements. This includes the ability to readily unlatch the door from inside the classroom with one motion without the use of a key, a tool, or special knowledge, or effort, in order to facilitate immediate egress from the classroom.

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the citizens and first responders of south Florida. We are proud of the heroes who stepped forward that day and hope for the day when every child can feel safe at school.

FY 2017 AFG Fire Prevention & Safety Grant Announcement

To assist our members, we have prepared a summary of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) outlining the specifics of this year's grant opportunity, the criteria, and the priorities. We've also provided the Fact Sheet from U.S. DHS.